Jacob Smith Park

Is it right for my child?

• Nature lovers: the council’s nature trail map invites children to explore three habitats. These are old trees and deadwood, ponds and wetland, and meadows and grassland.
• Curious minds: the map asks questions such as “What can you hear?”, “What hides?” and “Who lives here?”. It works as a sensory treasure hunt, with no numbered stops or distances on the map.
• School-age children: the trail was made with Meadowside School and links to key stage 2 and 3. The council calls it an educational resource for all the primary schools in the area.
• Toddlers and young children: the official pages state no age limits and give no advice for toddlers. Keep little ones close near the ponds, on the steep slopes and by the fenced trees.
• Big trees: the park has a number of veteran and ancient trees. Some have wooden fences around them to protect visitors from falling branches.
• What there is not: the council page does not mention a playground, so this is a park for walking, exploring and nature spotting.

Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist

• Print or download the nature trail map from the council page before you go.
• Pack wellies or boots. The council says the paths and steep slopes can become muddy.
• Plan a toilet stop before you arrive. The official pages do not mention toilets at the park.
• Bring your own snacks and drinks. The official pages do not mention a café.
• Allow time to find a parking space. The council says there is limited on-street parking on the surrounding streets.
• Keep children outside the wooden fences around some of the veteran trees. The council calls them permanent exclusion zones, where branches may safely fall.
• Watch for dog mess. The nature trail map itself warns children to look out for it.

Prices and tickets

The council page lists no entry charge and no booking. Miss Winifred Jacob Smith left the 30-acre parkland for public use, and the park opened in January 2008. The nature trail map is a PDF linked from the council page.

There are no paid activities or add-ons listed on the official pages.

Pushchairs, babies and toilets

• Paths: the park has a network of mown grass pathways and steep slopes, which can become muddy. The council says that in fine weather the paths are largely accessible.
• Pushchairs: the council page does not mention pushchairs. On grass paths after rain, our own suggestion is a sturdy pushchair or a baby carrier.
• Disabled visitors: the council says disabled visitors may need assistance.
• Toilets and baby changing: the official pages do not mention toilets or baby changing facilities at the park.
• Other access information: the council page lists no Changing Places toilet, accessible parking or other additional needs support.

Food and drink

The official pages do not mention a café, kiosk or picnic tables. Bring a flask and snacks. The park page does not mention bins, and a 2010 council appraisal said there were none, so plan to take your rubbish home.

Getting there and parking

• Address: Jacob Smith Park, Scriven Road, Knaresborough HG5 9EJ.
• Way in: the park is off Scriven Road. The nature trail map marks one “Way in”, on the park’s eastern side.
• Parking: there is no car park listed. The council says there is limited on-street parking on the surrounding streets.
• Buses and trains: the council page does not give public transport details, so check a journey planner before you travel.
• Walls: an impressive stone wall surrounds the parkland. A 2010 council appraisal described the Scriven Road entrance as the only way in.

When to visit

• Open all year: the council says the park is open all year round. It does not publish opening hours.
• Christmas and New Year: the official pages list no closures or changed hours for Christmas 2026 or New Year 2027.
• Dry days: the council says the paths are largely accessible in fine weather and can become muddy, so a dry spell suits a visit.
• Winter ponds: the nature trail map says there are at least three ponds. They are mostly there in winter or after heavy rain, and may shrink to a muddy puddle in summer.
• Seasonal spotting: the map lists holly and snowdrops for winter, and conkers and Yorkshire fog grass for autumn. For spring it lists daffodils, wild garlic, buttercups and bluebells.
• Summer: the map says you may find orchids in summer, and they must not be picked.
• Shorter days: the park page does not mention lighting, and a 2010 council appraisal said the park had no lights. In November and December, plan to finish your walk in daylight.

What to look for on the nature trail

• Veteran trees: the map points out “the veteran Oak and the Ash”. Ask children to spot the wooden fences around the bases of some of the veteran trees.
• Rooks: rooks live in a rookery in the park. The map asks children to look up and find them.
• Deadwood: fallen branches and standing dead trees are homes for insects, fungi, mosses and lichens.
• Grasses: the map names Yorkshire fog, Timothy, sweet vernal grass, meadow foxtail and crested dog’s-tail, all found in the park.
• Ponds: if there is water, you might see a frog. Keep young children back from the water’s edge and close by.

The council says more than 200 native tree whips and some larger native trees have been planted. Its countryside ranger works with the volunteer Friends of Jacob Smith Park to look after the parkland. A 2010 council appraisal says the land was once grazed by Ayrshire cattle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jacob Smith Park free?

The council page lists no entry charge and no booking. The park was left for public use by Miss Winifred Jacob Smith and opened in January 2008.

Is there a playground at Jacob Smith Park?

The council page does not mention a playground or play equipment. It describes open parkland with veteran trees, mown grass paths and a nature trail.

Are there toilets at Jacob Smith Park?

The official pages do not mention toilets or baby changing. Plan a stop before you arrive.

Where do you park for Jacob Smith Park?

There is no car park listed. The council says there is limited on-street parking on the surrounding streets near Scriven Road, HG5 9EJ.

Can you take a pushchair or wheelchair to Jacob Smith Park?

The paths are mown grass with steep slopes that can become muddy. The council says they are largely accessible in fine weather, and disabled visitors may need assistance.

Is Jacob Smith Park open at Christmas?

The council says the park is open all year round. It lists no Christmas or New Year closures and publishes no opening hours, so check before you travel.

Checked on 12 November 2026 against the official North Yorkshire Council page for Jacob Smith Park, its nature trail map and the 2010 Scriven Conservation Area Character Appraisal. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.